CELEBRATES CENTENARY AT BRITISH ROUND OF FIA GT CHAMPIONSHIP
Long revered as one of motor sports’ most prestigious competitions, the Royal Automobile Club Tourist Trophy will be celebrated in its centenary year at the British round of the FIA GT Championship at Silverstone on 15th May 2005.
Confirming the announcement of the historic event, Royal Automobile Club Secretary, George Kennedy said: “The Royal Automobile Club Tourist Trophy was the event that all great racing drivers wanted to win in its heyday. It is therefore tremendously exciting that we are able to bring it back into the motor sports calendar in its centenary year.
“What is especially thrilling is that the Tourist Trophy will be awarded to the winner of the British round of the FIA GT Championship. The true 21st century equivalent of the Tourist Trophy events of the past, the FIA GT Championship is attracting the world’s leading manufacturers, teams and drivers. As such, we believe it will provide the perfect setting for the award of the Trophy in its hundredth year. By being part of the FIA GT Championship, we will also able to demonstrate the Royal Automobile Club’s continued commitment to the world of modern motor sports.”
Stephane Ratel, Chairman of SRO, promoter of the FIA GT Championship endorsed George Kennedy’s comments saying: “From its earliest days and right up to the Sixties and Seventies, the Royal Automobile Club Tourist Trophy was regarded as the highest achievement in grand touring competition. We are, therefore, enormously excited that the Royal Automobile Club has chosen our Championship to provide the stage for the celebration of the Trophy’s centenary as well as give today’s teams and drivers a chance to be part of its history.”
The History of the Royal Automobile Club Tourist TrophyThe Royal Automobile Club Tourist Trophy was first contested on September 14th 1905 at the hilly and picturesque, 52 mile, Isle of Man circuit. John Napier, in an Arrol-Johnston won in the 6 hour race comprising 4 laps, 208 miles, with an average speed of 33.9 mph.
Whilst there were breaks in the Tourist Trophy being contested in the early 20th century and during both world wars, it remained one of the most coveted competitions in the motor sports calendar. Over the years it moved around the country and, in total, has visited 7 circuits: the Isle of Man, Ards and Dundrod in Northern Ireland, Oulton Park, Donington, Goodwood and Silverstone.
The late ‘50s and early ‘60s were probably the most significant in the Trophy’s history, with some of motor sports’ great names winning, including Stirling Moss seven times, Denny Hulme four times, Graham Hill and Stuart Graham twice, Innes Ireland, Andrea de Adamich and Derek Bell in the fastest ever race.
And most of the world’s most desirable sports car marques have competed for the Trophy over the last hundred years including Rolls-Royce, driven and won by the founder, the Hon C S Rolls in 1906, Mercedes, Alfa Romeo, Porsche, Jaguar, Aston Martin, Ferrari, MG, Sunbeam, Lola and BMW.
From its beginnings in 1905, the Tourist Trophy has always been regarded as a real test of driving skills, with rapid driver changes and pit stops par for the course. The Royal Automobile Club is, therefore, anticipating enormous interest from the FIA GT Championship Teams and Drivers, motor sports fans and general motoring enthusiasts in the revival of the Trophy in its centenary year.
Royal Automobile Club Tourist Trophy Centenary DetailsThe Royal Automobile Club Tourist Trophy will be awarded to the winner of the British round of the FIA GT Championship at Silverstone on 15th May 2005.
Cars in this year’s Championship will include the new Aston Martin DBR9, making its UK debut at Silverstone, as well as Corvette, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Lister, Maserati, Porsche and Saleen cars, all of which will be competing for the unique chance to win the Royal Automobile Club Tourist Trophy.
The FIA GT ChampionshipThe FIA GT Championship, established in 1997, is now entering its ninth season. In 2005, it will visit eleven tracks around the world, including Zhuhai in China, the Dubai Autodrome and the Bahrain International Circuit. The season includes the historic Proximus 24 Hours of Spa and will this year make its first visit to Turkey’s new Istanbul track. With highly professional private teams and leading sportscar drivers behind the wheel, the cars race in two categories, GT1 and GT2, and makes represented include Corvette, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Lister, Maserati, Porsche, Saleen and – for the first time at Silverstone – Aston Martin.
Ticket Information for the FIA GT Championship 14th/15th May 2005
Adult On the Day Adult Advance
Saturday £10 £8
Sunday £30 £25
Weekend n/a £30
Paddock Pass - £10
Children 15 and under FREE
All tickets include general admission and roving seating. - Tickets are available via the website - silverstone-circuit.co.uk or by calling 08704 588200.
